Most Overpriced Designer?

[Phuel]

^^^ The revelation is how poorly made they are— not that he treats his boots like scraped off roadkill LOL They’re not even stitched together but just glued, even though there are faux-stitch designs on the welt. Leather stacked heels were once simply a standard. But here it’s given a veneer sticker covering the hollow plastic heel to imitate a classic standard. Yes, yes— their lip service is that it’s space-age crap/eco-conscious/aerodynamic etc etc. This doesn’t justify the imposter act that such a heel is inferior to a traditional stacked heel.

I’m sure the Wyatt boots are decent when you take care of them (and more power to yourself and anyone that’s got the funds to go through them like flip flops). Just that once the cheapness of construction is exposed of them not just cutting corners— but slashing them, and using the ol’ “sustainability and environmentally-conscious” excuse for cheap craftsmanship (which is the new “diversity and inclusivity” gimmick), it’s so shameful LOL

Lastly, I loved the look on the artisans face when he saw the hollowed out, synthetic heel. It’s hysterical and a good reminded that “luxury” prices do not always justify the items quality.

What I admire about these 2 is that they’re simply straightforward, skilled craftsmen. There’s no pretension nor condescension with their work nor their expose. Hyped “designers” these days don’t even understand, let alone possess the skills and care for craftsmanship. High fashion has simply become overpriced fast fashion in both its craftsmanship and design. It’s why I have no reservation about ripping apart these designer offerings and having my tailor reconstruct it exactly to my specifications, with the small luxuries like having real horn buttons from Germany, or genuine horn and leather handmade toggles from Italy to replace the cheap plastic/mass-produced ones from these designer garments. And it’s the reason why Tom Ford still holds sway to me since his offerings still remember these quiet craftsman’s touches.

 

[Lola701]

Sometimes you can find bargains, like 60s Cristóbal Balenciaga night dresses for around 3000 euros...it´s a question of luck and hard searching!
Have you tried Vestiaire Collective? To my mind also come Augusta Auctions and Didier Ludot...and "The way we wore" and "Decades" in USA.

When it comes to vintage for me, it’s either Vestiaire Collective or Resee, when it comes to contemporary fashion…Even if Resee has some great 70’s stuff. When it comes to auctions, it’s either Gros & Delettrez or Cornette de Saint Cyr. France based auctions when it comes to fashion are interesting for anyone interested in specific designers because it’s usually always the same names. But you can find one Couture piece here and there.

Recently, there was an auction from Regina Rubens, a woman who had a luxury shop in Paris in the 80’s/90’s…Socialite very close to Alaia. And there were some interesting Gaultier Couture pieces in her collection. But when you see the prices of some of the items, you can be shocked because they would go for thousands elsewhere (I think about a Gucci by Tom Ford ss2003 that went for less than 1000€).
I don’t remember where (between Cornette and G&D) but recently I came across a vintage white Alaia dress from the 60’s, when he was only the couturier for the elite.

Didier Ludot is a great curator but it’s a precise POV. And you kinda pay the expertise. You can find a vintage Dior couture piece in some of those private collectors collections in a more affordable price during an auction than at Ludot.

Someone who goes to 1stdibs usually goes for the very recognizable piece…

But in vintage, there’s a lot of trends…specially when it comes to contemporary designers. Now, Mugler is starting to comeback and sell a bit for much more than it did before.

 

[jeanclaude]

When it comes to vintage for me, it’s either Vestiaire Collective or Resee, when it comes to contemporary fashion…Even if Resee has some great 70’s stuff. When it comes to auctions, it’s either Gros & Delettrez or Cornette de Saint Cyr. France based auctions when it comes to fashion are interesting for anyone interested in specific designers because it’s usually always the same names. But you can find one Couture piece here and there.

Recently, there was an auction from Regina Rubens, a woman who had a luxury shop in Paris in the 80’s/90’s…Socialite very close to Alaia. And there were some interesting Gaultier Couture pieces in her collection. But when you see the prices of some of the items, you can be shocked because they would go for thousands elsewhere (I think about a Gucci by Tom Ford ss2003 that went for less than 1000€).
I don’t remember where (between Cornette and G&D) but recently I came across a vintage white Alaia dress from the 60’s, when he was only the couturier for the elite.

Didier Ludot is a great curator but it’s a precise POV. And you kinda pay the expertise. You can find a vintage Dior couture piece in some of those private collectors collections in a more affordable price during an auction than at Ludot.

Someone who goes to 1stdibs usually goes for the very recognizable piece…

But in vintage, there’s a lot of trends…specially when it comes to contemporary designers. Now, Mugler is starting to comeback and sell a bit for much more than it did before.

Do you know what happened to Keni Valente? I can´t find his online vintage shop anymore...

EDIT: He sold his whole collection back in 2018: Keni Valenti Is Selling a Collection of 20,000 Vintage Dresses - Bloomberg

 

[Lola701]

Do you know what happened to Keni Valente? I can´t find his online vintage shop anymore...

EDIT: He sold his whole collection back in 2018: Keni Valenti Is Selling a Collection of 20,000 Vintage Dresses - Bloomberg

He sold his collection through Bluefly? How odd and tacky…
What he said about Bill Blass is kinda sad and a bit a norm with the huge majority of American designers.

 

[Ruito]

 

[brandon J pierre]

View attachment 1193126 View attachment 1193122

for classless people

 

[Phuel]

^^^ LOL That’s the overwhelming majority if not the entirety of this generation of consumers!

I’m convinced Demna is just blatantly trolling the fashion victimz so bored with their money that they will pay a ridiculous premium for a jacket that’s simply a straightup copy of what city workers— crossing guard, road crew, garbage collector have to wear. His Vetements DHL copy really was the initial trolling that suckered all these sheep to pay a designer premium to look like blue-collar commoners. Hoping for a vest in the style and color of a Walmart associate next Season.

 

[Frederic01]

€4290 / $4860 USD for this T-Shirt !


Luxe Departments

 

[brandon J pierre]

€4290 / $4860 USD for this T-Shirt !


Luxe Departments

MAKES FASHION LOOKS BAD- SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE THIS IS NOT A LUX ITEM

 

[Phuel]

^^^ From day one (at least since Karl took over), Chanel has never been for everybody. And something as basic as a graphic tee being offered for such a ridiculous pricetag, just confirms how exclusive and rarified the label is. It’s actually great brand-preservation.

 

[Lola701]

This reminds me how I found the 890€ tshirt from the Cuba collection and the 1200€ T-shirt from the Greek collection quite expensive.
I feel like that price for a tshirt in terms of perception is quite ridiculous compared to a sweater, a tweed jacket or a simple dress.

 

[susseinmcswanny]

Their justification is you're essentially paying for the lesage embroidery. Still overpriced, but it is perceptively ridiculous. If you add expensive stuff to the most basic of garments, the basic garment becomes more expensive lol

 

[susseinmcswanny]

I legit just almost spent $5500 on a nylon/down Rick Owens bomber jacket. Something is wrong with me for sure lol but what the f*ck. That is so stupid. I'm always being an idiot addicted consumer. Obviously thats the point and strategy of consumerism but can we PLEASE just make it all less expensive. I keep being like "oh maybe I'll splurge this once cuz I really want it" but then I realize I'm blowing that much!! justifying and enabling and playing into the greed of it all. I hate it here. Such a first world problem lol but I think a New Years resolution for me is to never buy anything retail again. Or at least for the foreseeable future. I'm not taking part in this anymore

 

[donyan]

^ I wouldn’t go that far but I have made a New Years Solution to only buy things that I feel carry their pricetag. Dries once said in an interview that one of the pillars of his brand was ‘great quality for honest prices’ and that is now my credo . I have nothing against buying something amazing for a lot of money if it’s worth it . I just don’t want to be taken for a fool thank you very much

 

[susseinmcswanny]

I have a masters degree in being a fool. I really want to investigate what is "worth" what. What's the cost of materials, labor, etc etc, who is the money going to? There isn't much transparency for a reason! I see things online just saying "imported" now or "made in italy*" with no explanation of the asterisk. Contents sometimes just say "100% cotton" with like 10 other materials on the innards of the garment.

For Rick Owen's case, I've heard his materials are becoming almost 100% traceable, but I haven't dug myself to find out. I get the vibe he pays his employees well but I still don't see what's costing so much. As for Dries, he does seem more honest with his prices. I am curious to what the "fair wage" is that he pays his employees in India. It seems like he doesn't take as big as a cut as say Gucci or Valentino who charge 5 figures for fabrics and embroideries done by the same people.

 

[Fulton St Critique]

I have a masters degree in being a fool. I really want to investigate what is "worth" what. What's the cost of materials, labor, etc etc, who is the money going to? There isn't much transparency for a reason! I see things online just saying "imported" now or "made in italy*" with no explanation of the asterisk. Contents sometimes just say "100% cotton" with like 10 other materials on the innards of the garment.

For Rick Owen's case, I've heard his materials are becoming almost 100% traceable, but I haven't dug myself to find out. I get the vibe he pays his employees well but I still don't see what's costing so much. As for Dries, he does seem more honest with his prices. I am curious to what the "fair wage" is that he pays his employees in India. It seems like he doesn't take as big as a cut as say Gucci or Valentino who charge 5 figures for fabrics and embroideries done by the same people.

The problem with that phrase “Made in Italy” is that it exists on a range. I believe the rule is- and someone please correct me if I am wrong in my percentage- as long as at least 10% of the product is made in the country they are allowed to utilize that now iconic wording as some sort of “stamp” for quality. it is easy to see right through this marketing gimmick with how poor much of the contemporary markets quality is now a days.

Unless I am am in desperate need of it, I have rarely purchased anything full price in say the past 12-15 months. With very little digging you can find steals everywhere. My latest purchase- a pair of the rubber Tabi derby’s (yes call me corny, BUT I LOVE THEM)- I found on sale on Ssense for a very reasonable price. Another one of my steals was a “New With Tag” Sies Marian top I found on The Real Real. The retail price was $900, I believe I paid $47 + 11 for shipping on a close out sale.

I do not mean to come across as boastful or prideful, after all, these are just RTW clothes I am talking about, but the reality is if you want it bad enough, you can most likely find it for a price much less than these ridiculous retails prices. Unless of course you are after CCP piece, then good luck!

 

[jeanclaude]

The problem with that phrase “Made in Italy” is that it exists on a range. I believe the rule is- and someone please correct me if I am wrong in my percentage- as long as at least 10% of the product is made in the country they are allowed to utilize that now iconic wording as some sort of “stamp” for quality.

They can make a whole garment in any cheap-labour country...and just by sewing the label tag in Italy, they can use the "Made in Italy" tag...here in Spain it´s the same.

 

[susseinmcswanny]

I do not mean to come across as boastful or prideful, after all, these are just RTW clothes I am talking about, but the reality is if you want it bad enough, you can most likely find it for a price much less than these ridiculous retails prices. Unless of course you are after CCP piece, then good luck!

I can usually do that for shoes and etc but RTW, with the designers I like, retailers never!! order in my size. I have to preorder full price from the designer for a chance to get something or I get nothing. Fortunately ssense has started carrying more of my size in things but I just have to hope it'll be the garment I want and that it'll make it far into the sale. Otherwise I can't continue to waste 1000's of dollars on a markup to sustain the fashion beanie baby industrial complex. It's nonsensical.

Fun markup story I was talking to a Margiela SA about their "Icons" collection and asked about why this certain cotton trench retailed at almost $5000 dollars and he told me the higher-ups' only justification was "it's an iconic piece" like oh okay Mr. Renzo Rosso here is an extra $3500 in your pocket just for your make believe vibes.

 

[Lola701]

I legit just almost spent $5500 on a nylon/down Rick Owens bomber jacket. Something is wrong with me for sure lol but what the f*ck. That is so stupid. I'm always being an idiot addicted consumer. Obviously thats the point and strategy of consumerism but can we PLEASE just make it all less expensive. I keep being like "oh maybe I'll splurge this once cuz I really want it" but then I realize I'm blowing that much!! justifying and enabling and playing into the greed of it all. I hate it here. Such a first world problem lol but I think a New Years resolution for me is to never buy anything retail again. Or at least for the foreseeable future. I'm not taking part in this anymore

You aren’t the only one lol! Something is wrong with us…

I am and I have been guilty of spending an insane amount of money on some designer pieces, even if the majority of everything I own was bought during sales, but the pricing today is totally out of control.

I feel like today, it’s really hard for example to love a brand and have it part of your lifestyle. Executives wants all of their brands to be in that luxury category in the most silly way possible. Brands like Margiela or Jil Sander were never that expensive for example.

And I feel like today there’s no value anymore. When Chanel sells a 4000€ t-shirt next to 6000€ suits, it’s really hard to justify those prices with another word than greed.
I will never understand designers tshirts.

In the end, I feel like there’s no rational reason when we buy those pieces. I love Nicolas Ghesquiere and I’ve bought a commercial version of a white dress from FW2021. The quality and the fabrics are perfect but I feel like I really bought something that was an extension of his creativity. And it’s weird because I would never buy a Prada piece at the same price…Maybe because it’s more difficult to get to Vuitton sales. Lol.

 

[Mathewthew]

The "made in Italy" or "made in France" tag are way to overrated.